Attending motorcycle rallies may be the greatest satisfaction of bike ownership. Conquering the open road, the sense of freedom, and the camaraderie of fellow bikers make every rally a special event.
Rallies have great traditions. Live music, tasty food, vintage bike shows, factory demo rides, bike building competition, poker runs, bike races, fundraising events, and parades are some of the rally activity traditions we’ve come to expect.
Great rallies also have history. It’s the who, why and where. The forefathers of the rallies have been sellers of bikes, early pioneer riders, “gypsy” demo riders, and racers. Some were organizers and a few believed in a cause.
Rallies are also defined by the region of the country where they are held. In each of these regions, attendees are surrounded by some of the most beautiful and diverse scenery found in our country. The open road and the natural marvels found along the roadside truly make memorable trips.
In light of the characteristics of tradition, history, and location, the following four rallies should be considered for your biking bucket list.
DAYTONA BIKE WEEK
Daytona Bike Week originally started on the beaches of Daytona as the Daytona 200 motorcycle race in January 1937. Californian, Ed Kertz won the race on an Indian motorcycle at a blazing average speed of 73.4 miles per hour. In the late forties, NASCAR founder, Bill France began promoting the event with great success. As the event’s popularity grew the race was moved to the Daytona International Speedway, where it remains today.
Numerous activities including bikes of all vintage, factory demo rides, bike racing, charity rides, music, swap meets, flea markets and more. Scenic Ocala National Forest, Dixie Highway, Cape Canaveral, Disney Resort and many other regional attractions are within 75 miles of Daytona.
For northerners, attendance is an easy choice. Our bitter cold and snowy winters can really give one a bad case of cabin fever. Attending Daytona Bike week in March is the ticket to a quick cure. A week of warm sunny rays, stunning beaches, and thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts celebrating cycle ownership, touring and lifestyle on the streets of Daytona is about as good as it gets.
LACONIA MOTORCYCLE WEEK
Laconia Bike Week in central New Hampshire is the oldest motorcycle rally in North America, and some say in the world. Its beginning goes back to a modest gathering of motorcyclists in June of 1916 on the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee in Laconia. Seven years later in 1923, the Federation of American Motorcyclists officially recognized Laconia as a legitimate biking event consisting of hill climbing and racing activities.
Today the tradition of racing continues at Laconia with US vintage motorcycle racing, modified motard racing, and hill climbs featured throughout the week. The beauty of the Lakes region, of which Laconia is central to, is a key element of many of the touring and rally events occurring during the week. Numerous lakes, historic landmark buildings, and three surrounding mountain ranges provide riders with spectacular vistas in June and throughout the year. A popular ride is the Covered Bridge Gypsy Tour, a guide 200-mile tour including 10 covered bridges in some of the most scenic touring areas in northeastern U.S.
STURGIS BIKE RALLY
Sturgis, South Dakota is the home of one of the oldest motorcycle rallies occurring in the US. Early Indian franchise owner, Clarence “Pappy” Hoel and his Jackpines Gypsies Motorcycle club hosted a motorcycle tour in South Dakotas Black HIlls in 1938. Camping space for the riders was provided behind his Indian motorcycle dealership located in Sturgis. A motorcycle race was also organized with 10 competitors and 200 spectators in attendance. The race was well received by the attendees as were the accommodations – Hoel stumbled upon a winning combination.
From that point forward the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally has continued to retain a position of prominence in American motorcycling activities and history. Today, upwards of 400,000 enthusiasts converge upon Sturgis in early August to partake in the biker tradition and the unique beauty of the Black Hills National Forest of South Dakota. The Badlands National Forest, Mount Rushmore National Monument, Custer State Park and the historic gold mining towns of Deadwood and Lead provide riders additional destination points within a 75-mile radius of Sturgis.
ROLLING THUNDER RIDE TO THE WALL
Rolling Thunder Bike Rally was inaugurated as a demonstration in 1988 by a small group of Vietnam veterans seeking to bring attention to the unresolved Prisoners of War (POW) and Missing in Action (MIA) veterans of the Vietnam War. On the Sunday before Memorial Day, 2500 riders rode as a group into the capital, entering over the Arlington Memorial Bridge and continuing to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The heightened awareness generated in 1988 and in subsequent years has resulted in the creation of various Acts and Laws that ensure continued vigilance in accounting for all POW and MIA veterans.
Today, hundreds of thousands of veterans and supporters of all current and past wars take part in the rally. The ride is aptly named Rolling Thunder for the rolling thunder sound produced by bike entourage as they roll into DC in mass over the Arlington Memorial Bridge. Weekend activities associated with the rally include a candle-lit vigil at the Vietnam Memorial, Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Memorial Day parades, and food, bike accessories and souvenir sales at the Thunder Alley vendor site.
It’s not surprising that these four rallies draw hundreds of thousands of attendees every year –
They are exciting events and attendees find the resources of time and money to attend.
For some enthusiasts, the resource of time can be more challenging than the money. Work, family and other obligations can take up a great deal of time; a long-distance ride can easily exceed what time is available to attend a rally. Fortunately, there’s a solution – Craters and Freighters Greater Milwaukee custom crating and shipping services.
C&F MOTORCYCLE SHIPPING SERVICES SAVE YOU TIME, WEAR AND TEAR
If you’re on a tight time budget, our motorcycle shipping services can completely eliminate or reduce road your travel time burden when attending a rally within a limited window of time. One way shipments to, or from the rally location, and round-trip motorcycle shipping options can take days off your travel itinerary and reduce wear and tear on you, and your bike.
Contact Craters & Freighters Greater Milwaukee today. We have a number of cost-effective, guaranteed on-time delivery motorcycle shipping options for individuals and groups seeking to maximize their experience at biking rallies across America when time, convenience and comfort are a priority.